Yukon develops unique education degree program

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A government, a university and a college have teamed up to give teachers in the Yukon Territory a bachelor of education degree that is unique in Canada. The Yukon Native Teacher Education Program (YNTEP) is administered through Yukon College through a special funding arrangement with the Department of Education of the Yukon territorial government. The University of Regina provides and/or approves instructors, both at the college's main campus in Whitehorse, and in Regina.

Brian Aubichon is executive director of the program. "Recruitment has been a challenge because we have a population pool here in the Yukon of between 7,000 and 9,000 people, with a large portion being under 21 years of age. However, since our first class graduated in 1993, we have seen 67 First Nation educators complete the program," he said. Today 30 are teaching in Yukon schools, and a further 12 are employed in schools outside the territory. "In addition, another 20 are employed locally in education-related positions, such as Yukon College instructors," said Aubichon.

Debbie Oostindie credits the YNTEP with giving her an excellent base for her teaching experience.

"I never thought I'd be able to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher while living in the Yukon, but it's all become a reality," she said. "The program is very culturally sensitive and geared to northern residents, as we explored the First Nations history and culture as well as linguistics courses. In addition, we were able to further investigate areas in which we were especially interested, through the selection of topics while writing term papers and essays," she said. Graduates of the program understand much more about behaviors, attitudes, and history of the residents of the Yukon than a teacher who was educated south of 60 could ever possibly know, she added.

"All program participants are of Aboriginal heritage, but some of us were more rooted in our tradition than others. But through the course of the four years, as we worked and studied together, we became fully entrenched in our history. We learned a lot about ourselves in the process," said Oostindie, who is Metis and originally from Saskatchewan.

Tina Jules agreed that the YNTEP educational experience launches its graduates on a satisfying and rewarding career path. "I entered as a mature student, and never would have been able to attend a university program without considerable upgrading," she said. Today she is a seconded teacher, filling the position of First Nations languages consultant for the Department of Education. Like Oostindie, she is working on a master's degree.

"I focus my research in all of my courses on Yukon First Nation culture and language, and curriculum development. It's challenging but I'm enjoying it," she said.

YNTEP needs to survive in the Yukon, she added. "The students who are taught by graduates of the program are getting a more relevant and meaningful education than they would receive from teachers taught in southern universities, because it's geared toward the northern resident and taught by members of First Nations," she explained. "I hope it continues for years to come, at least until the ratio of First Nations teachers equals the First Nations students who are in the classroom," she said.

Liz Bosely said the four years of the program gave her many useful skills in addition to those required to be a teacher, such as being a better communicator. "A student's verbal and oral communication skills are certainly enhanced. And I think there is a lot of personal growth as well because you are a role model when you are teaching children," she said.

YNTEP students study math, English, reading, sciences, assessment and evaluation, and educational psychology.

"Especially valuable was time spent as an intern in the classroom, which totals eight months throughout the four years, and includes one whole semester in the last year. You are dealing with everyday situations, planning field trips,dealing with discipline, communicating with parents, reporting to the principal, report-card writing, extra-curricular activities, and so on," she said. Currently she is teaching college preparation courses at Yukon College.

Bosely feels that graduates need to take advantage of professional development opportunities and broaden their knowledge of Yukon First Nations people. For example, she noted that there are 14 First Nations communities in the Yukon speaking eight different languages.

"We all have cultural differences and we need to continue to learn more about the other cultures, because we have kids from many First Nations in our classes."

Aubichon summed up by stating that the program is effective because it qualifies First Nations professionals to participate in the education of Yukon children. "It affects both rural and urban communities, as our graduates have taught everywhere in the Yukon," he said. As some are now developing curriculum or working in other education-related positions, their knowledge and influence continues.

The major contribution of the graduates is their ability to have an effect on the children of the future, Aubichon concluded.

"They play an important leadership role in the evolution of education of First Nations students that will continue to be felt for generations to come."